Sewing head



7 Sheets-sheet 1 F. N. ROSS ET AL SEWING HEAD Filed oct. 17, 1929 A T: z 1 I.. Hw,

yway June 2, 1936. F. N. Ros's ET Al.

SEWING HEAD Filed Oct, 17, 1929 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 June 2, 1936. F. N. ROSS ET A1.

SEWING HEAD 7 sheets-'sheet s FiledV oct. 17, 1929 lNvEm-ons ATTORNEYS June 2, 1936. F. N` ROSS ET AL 2,043,063 SEWINGy HEAD Filed OOC. 17, 1929 '7 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORS ATTORN EYS June 2, 1936. N, RSS ET AL 2,043,063

SEWING HEAD Filed Oct. 17, 1,929 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 G f A 0MM ATTORNEYS v JuneZ, 1936. F. Ross ET Al.

SEWING HEAD 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Oct. 17, 1929 ATTORNEYS June 2, F. N ROSS ET ALl S EWING HEAD Filed Oct. 1'7, 1929 7 Sheets-Sheet '7 ATTORNEYS Patented June 2, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SEWING HEAD Application October 17, 1929, Serial No. 400,317

27 Claims.

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for sewing seat cushions and the like and more particularly to improvements therein tending to simplify, render more efficient and improve the same generally.

Heretofore, in the manufacture of what is known in the art as tubular upholstery, to ywhich this invention particularly pertains, it has generally been customary, in automatic methods of manufacture, to unite the finish and lining fabrics by transverse stitching extending through nested seam ridges in the fabrics. In other methods o f manufacture not involving aca: automatic production, it has been customary to sep- ,arately sew the seams defining the tubular fpor- .tions of the upholstery, the trimming material or nish fabric being turned back at predeter; Ymined spaced intervals to form folds or seam ridges which were then united by stitching to the lining fabric.

In the lupholstery produeedwith the heretofore known automatic method of manufacture ,serious objections have arisen owing to the fac-t that any `stretching of the backing o r lining fab- ,ric in the application yof the upholstery to the cushion frame was exerted directly on the stitch-.- ing uniting the finish and lining fabrics, with the result :that the stitching `frequently gave way under this continuous strain with resulting'dis- 30 organization and damage to the upholstery,

While with the heretofore 4manually executed methods of upholstery manufacture such diffr- `culties have vnot been experienced with the finished product, such manual methods of manu- 5 facture have vbecome obsolete and impractical owing to the necessity of quantity production in articles Yof this nature.

It is therefore one of the important objects o f this invention lto provide a method of manufac- 40 Vturing cushions and the like wherein the finish fabric may be stitched `or secured to the `backing or lining fabric in Such a manner that when the cushion is completed the lining fabric may be stretched taut without imposing any strain on the stitching.

Another object of this invention is to provide means Yfor automatically constructing -upholstery having these `desi-table characteristics.`

More particularly it is the object of the present invention ito provide va method and means for automatically manufacturing a multi-plait or multi-tube upholstery having the characteristics and vadvantages of the prior art hand-made upholstery.

'5.5 In carrying out the present invention the .1in-

(Cl. 11B-2) ish fabric is vgathered. t0 lprovide a plurality of spaced seam gridges and the lining fabric or back ing is arranged in .superposed ,relation with re.- spect to these seam ridges and with a portion of this lining fabric adjacent and parallel to `the 55 seam ridges at one side thereof. The finish and lining fabrics are ,then united at the seam ridges to form a plurality of Iplaits or tubes, the stitching extending through the portions of the lining fabric parallel and adjacent to the seam ridges i@ and lthrough the seam ridges into the tubes where the stitch is completed. When completed .the seams are invisible o n -the face iof the completed article, and in the subsequent application of the upholstery to ythe seat the `lining fabric or l15 backing may be stretched taut Withoutimposing any strain to the stitching.

The present invention also has `as one ,of its objects to provide a compact, simple, efficient and commercially practical sewing mechanism .20 for industrial purposes whereby the heretofore mentioned objects and advantages vof .the present invention may be carried into execution.

The invention also `contemplates a novel combination, construction and arrangement of parts, 25 all of which will be made more apparent as this description proceeds, especially when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein Figure l is a vertical sectional elevational view 39 of a sewing head;

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary` vertical sectional view through the ,clothforming `mechanism at the `point where the sewing .takes place;

Figure 2a vis a detail plan view `.of the needle 35 guard.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of the sewing head in one position of the parts;

Figure 4 is a similar View with the parts `in another position;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary `horizontal sectional View taken substantially on the plane indicated by line 5- 5 in Figure 1j;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary vertical sectional elevational View taken substantially on the plane 4.5 indicated by line 6 6 in Figure 7;

Figure '7 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substantially 4on the plane indicated by line 1,-1 in Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary side elevational view 50 of one-half of vthe sewing head with the parts in one position; E

Figure 9 is a Similar View with the parts in another position;

.Figure .101s a .fragmentary side elevational view of the sewing head showing the needle retracted;

Figure 1l is a similar view showing the needle at the end of its forward thrust;

Figures 12 to 21 inclusive diagrammatically illustrate the sewing operation;

Figure 22 is an enlarged view showing the double chain lock stitch created;

Figure 23 is a fragmentary view of the reverse side of the stitching;

Figure 24 is a fragmentary vertical sectional elevational view of the cloth-forming mechanism adjacent the sewing zone;

Figure 25 is a semi-diagrammatic view showing the manner in which the finish and lining fabrics are arranged during the sewing operation;

Figure 26 is a similar view of the completed upholstery with the lining fabric stretched taut;

Figure 27 is a semi-diagrammatic View showing the rocking movement of the needle arm and needle; and

Figure 28 is a diagrammatic view showing the path of the needle point during the thrusting and retracting movements of the needle.

Figure 29 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the feeding and the assembly of the materials.

Referring now particularly to the drawings wherein like reference characters indicate like parts, and with particular referenceto Figures 25 and 26, the general problem involved herein will be explained. In Figures 25 and 26 the finish or top fabric of the cushion or upholstery is indicated by the reference character F and the bottom or lining fabric is indicated by the reference character L. It is the purpose of this invention to providera method and means of automatically uniting the finish and lining fabrics to provide a plurality of plaits or tubes with the stitching extending from the outside of the lining fabric into the interior of the tubes where the stitching is completed. In accordance with this invention the finish Vfabric is gathered to provide a plurality of spaced parallel seam ridges S and the lining fabric is arranged in superposed relation over the finish fabric with portions L thereof adjacent to and parallel with the seam ridges S at one side thereof. The lining fabric is spaced from the seam ridges at the other side thereof to produce spaces X, providing clearance to enable the completion of the loop of the stitch within the completed tube T.

The finish and lining fabrics are united by transverse stitching Y extending from the outside through the portions L of the lining L and through the sea-m ridges S of the finish fabric F, the needles extending into the spaces X where the chain or loop of the stitches is completed.

When the upholstery is subsequently applied to the seat the lining fabric L is stretched taut, but, as will be noted from Figure 26, no strain whatsoever will be imparted to the stitching Y. Moreover, the stitching is substantially invisible on the face of the completed upholstery. In this respect the finished upholstery is substantially the same as that constructed by the heretofore known manual methods of manufacture wherein each seam ridge or its equivalent is separately formed by turning back the finish material at predetermined spaced intervals to form folds therein, which folds are sewed to the lining fabric one at a time.

One form of sewing mechanism which is particularly well adapted for the purpose of sewing -seams of the type illustrated in Figures 25 and 26 is illustrated in the remaining figures of the drawing and will now be described 1.11, Cleial: Wle

obviously a gang or series of sewing heads will be provided corresponding in number to the number of seams to be sewed, only one of such sewing heads will be described in detail herein, as obviously each is a duplicate of the other.

From the drawings it will be noted that each sewing head consists of a pair of twin units A and B, identical with one another and mounted upon a cross head I0 so that the needles thereof reciprocate or move in paths or planes at an angle of substantially 60 to one another, as best seen from Figure 5.

Each of the sewing head units A and B comprises a bearing bracket II provided with hublike extensions I2 and I3 in which are journalled the shafts I 4 and I5 of intermeshing spiral pinions I6 and I'I. A common drive shaft is provided, one for all of the units A and one for all of the units B of the gang of sewing heads, these drive shafts being indicated by the reference character I8. Each drive shaft I8 is provided, adjacent each of the sewing head units, with a spiral pinion I9 which meshes with the corresponding spiral pinion I6.

As previously pointed out, the sewing head units A and B are arranged so that the needles thereof reciprocate in planes at an angle of substantially 60 to one another, and as a consequence each of these units is arranged at an angle of substantially 30 to its corresponding drive shaft I8. The

shafts I8 will be driven in synchronism by any preferred or desired means, preferably also synchronized with the finish and lining fabric feeding means to be referred to.

Each of the sewing head unitsAand B is removably and adjustably mounted with relation to its .corresponding drive shaft I8 so that these units may be removed when desired or may be adjusted longitudinally of the drive shafts to vary and regulate the distance between adjacent sewing l heads. This adjustment and removability may be conveniently provided for by employing for each sewing head a pair of brackets 20 adjustably connected to the sewing cross head I0 by means of bolts 2l, the heads 22 of which slidably engage in T slots 23 formed in the under side of the head I Il. The lower ends of these brackets 2D are provided with opposed inwardly extending sleeves 24 which surround and support the shaft I8 and abuttingly engage on opposite sides of the spiral pinion I9 (see particularly Figure 5).

Each shaft I8 is provided with a longitudinally extending key-way 25 with which a key 26 carried by the spiral pinion I9 engages. This peri mits longitudinal movement of each pinion I9 with respect to its shaft I8 but prevents relative independent rotation thereof.

The upper end of each bearing bracket II is provided with a half bearing recess which not 5T only encloses the lower half of the corresponding pinion I9, but is provided with oppositely extending half sleeve portions 21 which engage the sleeves 24 of the brackets 20. A correspondingly shaped cap 28 pivotally connected as at 29 to the i bearing bracket II completes the enclosure for the pinion I9 and encloses the top half of the sleeves 24. 'Ihis cap is removably secured in place by means of clamping screw 3U. Obviously by loosening the nuts of bolts 2I the brackets 20 may be adjusted longitudinally of the sewing head cross beam I0 to thus longitudinally adjust the pair of units A and B of each sewing head. By removing the clamping bolts 38 and raising the caps 28 the bearing brackets II with the relthe intermediate spiral pinion through yan elongated slot .5I

.maining structure lwhich is :supported thereby may 'be removed.

Each-of the units A rand B isrockably .adjustable about its drive `shaft fI8, ibut :independently of eachother. For instance, las seen in'Figure 1, the unit B is provided with a pair of .upstanding vlugs or ears l3| which embrace -an adjusting screw 32 which in turn is pivotally mounted at 33 yat one end thereof :to the bracket 20. Lock nuts 34 threadedly engage the screw i32 and Vengage the 4Vend engaging against an internal shoulder formed on sleeve 4I which surrounds the rod 31. This sleeve is formed with a semi-ball shaped end 42 which vengages a correspondingly shaped surface on the lugs 36. Thisconstruction will permit :a 'rocking movement of the bearing bracket Tabout the shaft I8 in one direction. Movement Fin the other direction is regulated by Yan adjustable set screw 43 carried by the lug 36 and engaging extension 39. Bygrasp'ing the head 44 Vof the sleeve 4I the sleeve may be moved :against the tension of the spring to disengage the sleeve and ythe shank 31 from the lug 36.

Rotation of each drive shaft I8 rotates the corresponding spiral pinion I9, which through I6 rotates spiral pinion I1, keyed to shaft I5. The kendfof'shaft I5 carries an eccentric 45 which is in peripheral en'- Agagement withan eccentric link 546. `The endo'f 4this link 46 is pivoted as at f41 Ato fa lslide `or sector 48 mounted for oscillatable sliding movement in a guideway '49 fixed to the vbearing bracket Il., as for instance by means of screws 150. VThus the eccentric 45 acts through the `medium of link 446 to oscillate the sector 48. The shaft -I5 extends in fthe slide lor the 'sector 48, this elongated yslot permitting sliding movement vof the ysector over the shaft I5.

Also mounted on pivot pin 41 carried `by the slide or sector -48 is fa needle 'arm T52. The connection is such that the needle arm 52 pivots -or rocks labout the pivot pin 41. 'This rocking move- `ment of the needle arm `is caused by means' of Va link 53 pivotally connected as :at 54 to a *lateral extension 55 on the needle Yarm -and "to a `pin `56 carried by the 'eccentric 45. Thus,rctationofthe shaft I5 causes a `rec'iprocable movement to be imparted to the sector '48 and A.a 'rocking movement to'be 'imparted to the needle -arm 52. 'Each needle arm lcarries a `needle v 51.

'While the thread may be suppliedfto the needle in any preferred ordes'ired man-ner, it will be noted from Figures 3, 4, l0 and yl1 Itha-ft the thread passes through a thread tension 58, thence through Ya guide'59 and through a thread'take-up carried by the end of the needle arm. 'From the thread take-up 60 Ythe thread passes through an aperture 6I inthe needle arm -andithence to the-needle 51 The mechanism for presenting the yvelour or finish fabric rand 'the v'sheeting or lining 'fabric to the 'sewing mechanism is not herein 'illustrated and described in detail,`because it Tor-ms a part of vour co-pending A'application `filed LGctober 20, 1930,

Serial Number 490,034. However, as previously pointed out, 'and vas diagrammatically :illustrated in 1Figx2'9, the finish fabric 'F is gathered to pro- -vide -a :plurality of spaced' parallel seaml ridges Aand thelining fabric for sheeting L is superposed .thereon with portions thereof adjacent to and `parallel with the seam ridges S at one side thereof, the cotton bat C being introduced between said"lfabrics :in the tubes formed between said `seam ridges as 'shown :in Fig. 2. The finish and lining fabrics Iare vpresented to the sewing mechfanisminthis manner. In Figure 24 'the formation conveyor which presents the vvelour or nish fabric to the mechanism is indicated by the reference character 6.2, and, as Will be noted, comprises an Y*endless chain member carrying suitably shaped' formation members 63. Each seam ridge, as fit is :presented to the sewing mechanism, is `stripped fromthe formation -conveyor and is preserved 5in :this condition by means of 'a Ysewing plate 264 (see Figure "24) which is mounted to a 4fixed part-of the mechanism 65. The sewing plate -is'fornied with a reduced portion providing a passage 66 through which the needles 51 `extend lduring the ysewing operation. By a comparison of Figures 2 and 24 the manner finwhich vthe fabrics are presented to the sewing mecha- Anism Iwill be 'made vmore apparent. It will be ynoted that the sewing plates 64 l.extend yinto the seam ridges S of Vthe nish fabric'F. 'The lining fabric L is superposed thereon and is arranged with portions thereof parallel vwith 1an-d adjacent fto theseamridges at one side thereof in the manner previously referred to andas illustrated in n Figur-es 2,25 and 26. The finish 'and lining fabrios are presented to the sewing mechanism rin the -con'dition best illustrated in Figure 2 by the means therein illustrated. It will be noted that Athe seam ridge S closely `embraces the sewing plate 64 and is maintained in this position on the one side bymean's of a yplate member .61 and lonthe lother-side by means lof a plate member 6.8. This latter plate member carries a tapered needle guard 69, which vmaintains `free and clear the needle spaceX-referred to in connection withFig- `ures 25 and v26. This needle guard :acts as a barrier to prevent the cotton bat C from .becoming entangled with the needles. A shouldered plate 10 is arranged yadjacent the top edge of the sewing plate -64 'at one side thereof Aand acts to hold :the llining L adjacent to Vand parallel with the 'seam `ridge fat one side thereof. The plate 68 `is Vaper-tured as at y168' and the plate 10 is apertured as faty 1:'0" Ato permit the passage therethrough of the needles.

lThe :construction of -Ithe needle .arm actufati-ng -rnec`hanism is such that .each lneedle has imparted thereto a thrusting .and retracting movement land also a rocking movement, the ymechanism lfor operating yeach needle :being so designed, related and timed that the point end =of vthe "needle -describes fa loop. The thrusting and retracting movement iof the needle causes it to be 'thrust through and withdrawn from .the fabrics. The rockin-g movement of each needle insures the spreading of the loop .formed Aby the needle Iandprovides clearance for the othercom- Apanion needle. In this connection it should .be remembered that each sewing head Vincludes a pair ofne'edles working lin pairs at an angle of substantially 60 to :one another, the working 'paths 'of needles intersecting one another immediately "beyond the center 'line 0f the Aseam. lVLcreover,v the Aneedle 'arm .actuating mechanism is sogconstructedand 'arranged-that the needle rocks about a point coincident with the center line of the seam, so that irrespective of the rocking movement imparted to the needle, each needle pierces the fabrics in the same horizontal plane, and the rocking movement, a greater portion of which is imparted thereto while it is thrust through the cloth, may be accomplished Without interference.

The greatest rocking movement is imparted to the point of the needle during the latter part of its thrusting movement and the first part of its retracting movement. In operation the needle is thrust forward through the fabric and during the latter part of this thrusting movement the point of the needle is rocked to its highest position. During the retracting movement, and particularly during the first part of the retracting movement, the needle is rocked so as to lower the point thereof. This combined rocking and retracting movement spreads or opens the loop formed by the needle on its thrusting stroke, and as this loop is opened the other needle, whose path of travel intersects that of the first needle, crosses over the top of the first needle and through the loop formed thereby, so that upon the completion of the retracting movement of the rst needle the loop formed thereby is slipped over and carried by the second needle which is just completing its forward stroke. The second needle thereupon rocks to lower its point and spread the loop formed thereby, whereupon the first needle in its second thrusting stroke extends through the loop which it previously made and through the loop which has just been opened or spread by the rocking of the second needle. The resulting stitching is that known as the double chain lock stitch, and the particular manner in which the needles operate to form this stitch will be made more apparent as this description proceeds.

By a comparison of Figures and 11 the manner in which the needle 51 is thrust forward and retracted will be made more apparent. The needle arm 52 partakes of a pivotal swinging movement about the pivot 41, a swinging movement being imparted to the needle arm 52 by means of a link 53 pivoted to the needle arm as at 54 and also pivotally connected to the pin 56 of the eccentric 45. The movement of crank pin 56 about the center of shaft I5 of eccentric 45 moves the needle from the position illustrated in Figure 10, which is its extreme retracted position, to the position illustrated in Figure 1l, which is the end of its forward or thrusting movement. v

During this movement of the needle arm the eccentric 45 acting through the eccentric link 45 causes the sector or slide 48 to slidingly reciprocate in guideway 49. The pivot 41 for the needle arm 52 is carried by this sliding sector` 48 so that as a consequence the point of the needle will describe a loop-like path. The sector 48 and the guideway 49 have arcuate curved engaging surfaces struck from the center H, which is the center line of the seam. Thus, while theneedle partakes of both a reciprocating and rocking movement, it will always pass through the point H and all rocking movement will be about this point H, so that the engagement of the needle with the fabrics will in no wise interfere with these movements imparted thereto. As will be apparent, the rocking of the needle is the direct result of the reciprocal movement of the slide 48 which alters the horizontal plane of the pivot 41. In Figure 9 theY point of the needle is shown lin approximately the position it assumes prior to being rocked or lowered; and in Figure 8 the point of the needle is shown approximately in the position it assumes after being rocked downwardly and at the beginning of its retracting movement.

By reference to Figure 27 the action of the slide 48 on the needle arm 52 and needle 51 will be more apparent. In this gure the position the needle arm assumes when the slide 48 is at its ex- 10 treme left hand position is illustrated by heavy black lines and the position the needle arm and needle assume when the slide 48 is at its extreme right hand position is illustrated by light lines.

The movement of the fulcrum of the needle arm 10 from the light line position to the heavy line position lowers the horizontal plane of this fulcrum point and thus rocks the needle arm in the manner and to the extent indicated, this rocking movement taking place about the center H which is the center about which the arcuate bearing surfaces of the slide 48 and guide 49 are struck. As previously mentioned, this reciprocating movement of the slide 48 occurs by reason of the action of the eccentric link 46 actuated 25 by cam disk 45, and inasmuch as the needle arm operating crank pin 56 is also carried by this eccentric disk and is simultaneously partaking of movement about the center of the shaft I5 (which carries the eccentric disk 45) the needle 30 is simultaneously partaking of its thrusting and retracting movement. Thus there are also indicated in this gure the extreme positions of the needle 51, the extreme thrusting position being indicated by the dot and dash lines and the ex- 35 treme retracted position by the dotted lines.

By reference to Figure 28 the movement of the point of the needle 51 and consequently the manner in which the needle reciprocates and rocks will be made more apparent. In this fig- 4o ure the center line of the shaft I5 of the eccentric disc 45 is indicated, and about this center is described the path of movement of the crank pin 56, which, through the medium of link 53 oscillates the needle arm 52 and consequently the 45 needle 51. The path of travel of the crank pin 56 has been divided into eighteen increments and numbered accordingly, starting at I with the crank pin above and in vertical alignment with the shaft I 5. The path of the point of the needle 51 has also been indicated, and the positions of the needle point indicated on this path, the numbers corresponding to the posit-ions of the crank pin 56. It will be noted from this diagram that the point of the needle describes a 55 substantially gure eight path, but that the needle passes through the center line of the seam H heretofore referred to. It will be further noted from this diagram that the greatest movement with respect to the alteration of the horizontal plane of the point of the needle occurs during the end of the thrusting movement of the needle and the beginning of its retracting movement. In the example given the shaft I5 is presumed to rotate in the direction of the arrow 6 and vthe point of the needle to travel in the direction indicated by the sequence of the numbers applied to its path of travel.

As illustrated, the needles 51, while extending generally transversely to the longitudinal path of travel of the seam, are each inclined with respect to a vertical plane which transversely intersects this path of travel of the seam, one of the needles being inclined in the direction of Vtravel of the seam and theother needle being oppositely inclined with its peint extending opposite to the line of travel: of the seam. Thus, while'the needle to the left, as viewed for instance in Figure 12, is inthe work, the work slides downwardly toward the point of the needle and while the needle to the right is in the work, the work slides. up further onto the needle. The openings E8 and 'Hl' in the plates 68 and T0', respectively, permit this slight sliding movement of the work. In this manner the workk is permitted te travel despite the substantially4 continuous engagement of the needles with the seam.

The sewing operation will be best understood by reference to Figures 12 to 21 inclusive, where-- in the thread' carried by the right hand needle is indicated by a black line and the thread carried by the'le-ft hand needle is indicated by spaced light lines.

As seen from Figure l2, the right hand needle is just completing its forward stroke and has pulled the thread through the fabric.- As this needle startsv to retract tof form a loop in this thread, it is alsoI rocked" downwardly to open or spread the loop as indicatedin Figure 13. Simultaneously the left hand needle is partaking of its thrusting movement, and as its path of travel intersects that of the right hand needle, it passes over the right hand needle, which, as previously mentioned,'has been lowered to thus clear the path for the leftl hand needle. The left hand needle: in passing over the right hand needle isr thrust through the loop of the right. hand needle. In Figure 14 the left hand needle is shown at about the end of its thrustingmovement and thev right. handneedle is completely retracted and the loop-formed therebyi's slipped well on to the left hand needle. In Figure 15 the left hand needle is' beginning.r its retractnig Ymovement and is being lowered and the loop carried thereby is being spread. The right hand needle is'V commencing its thrusting movement. In Figure- 16 the left hand needle is still retracting and the right hand needle has pierced the fabric and is being thrust through the l'oop'previouslyl formed thereby and also through the spread loop of the' left hand needle. In Figure 24 the leftl hand needle. is shownV completelyl retracted and the right hand needle substantially at the. end of its thrusting movement. In this gure. the rst. and second loops are'still engaged by the right handneedle. In Figure 18 the leftv hand needle; is entering the loop being spread by the retraction of the rightV hand needle', and in Figure 19 the right hand needle. is well on itsr retracting movement and the left handl needle is nearv the end of its thrusting movement. In Figure 20 the left hand needle is approximately at the end of its thrusting move.- ment and the right hand needle has been completely retracted and disengaged from; the frst two loops formed.` In Figure 21 the right hand needle is again commencing its thrusting move'- ment, while the left hand needle is retracting. This movement of the needles is repeated, and as a consequence a double chain lock stitch, such as illustrated in Figure 22, isv created. Themanner in which the' stitching 'appears on the reverse side of the' fabric is illustrated'in Figure 23.

From the foregoing, it isbelieved that the manner' of execution of my improved method and modus operandi ofv the illustrated mechanism will be' apparent to those skilled in this'art. With the herein described method it is possible to unitethe ini'sh'and lining' fabricsf in such a manner that the seams will be practically invisible on the facciy ofV the completedv article, -andztheliningv or backing may be stretched taut in the subsequent application of the upholstery to seatsI and the like, without strain or other injury toi the stitching. This'v method consists broadly in stitching from the outside of a tubular or pl'aited fabric through a single thickness of lining material and completing the stitch in the interior of the tube or plait. The mechanism herein described contemplates automatic meansv for4 presenting the finish andr lining materials, with or without cotton bat associated therewith, to: the sewing mecha'- nism and automatic means for uniting these fabrics by stitching extending from the outside intoI the interior of the tubes of the upholstery where it is completed.

Obvious chang-es and modifications may suggest themselves to those skilled in this art', and to'7 this' end reservation is made to make such changes in any of the non-essential details as may come within the purview of the accompanying claims.

We claim as. our invention:

l. Sewing mechanism comprising a pair of needles working in planes at an angle to one another from the same side of the seam, each needle hav-3 ing a thrusting and retracting movement, and a rocking movement prior to the thrusting movement oi; the other needle.

2. Sewing mechanism'.` comprising a pair of nee-v dles workingl in pathsV which arligu-lfarly7 intersectl one. another but from the same side of the seam,- saidv needles' respectively' partakng' simultaneously of thrusting and retracting movement,y each needle having a rocking movement atv theend'of its thrusting movement;

3. Sewing mechanism comprisinga pair ofineedies working in paths which angularly intersect one another, said needl-es'w'o'rking from the same side of theseam andeach needle having a thrusting and retracting movement, and a rocking movement prior to the vintersection of its working path by the other needlef 4. Sewing mechanism comprising a pair of needles working in paths which angularly intersect one another, said needles working from the same side ofthe seam and each needle having a thrusting andI r'etracting movement, and a rocking movementy substantially' at the ends of its thrusting and retracting movements.

5. Sewing mechanism comprising a' pairy o'f needles.y working in vertical planesv which intersect'one anotherg, each needle having a' Athrusting and retracting movement, and a rocking movement to4 lower its point end substantially prior to the commencement of its retracting movement.

6r. The combination with meansV for feeding. plies o-nish and lining'iabric and forming seam ridges in one fabric and arranging the; other fabric parallel to the seam ridges at one si'de thereof, of means for' uniting the fabrics comprising needles extending through the parallel andseam ridge portions 'of the fabrics into the spa'ce therebetween and means for operating said needles to complete' the stitches within the spacel between said fabrics.

7.: They combination with means :For feeding plies' oil nish and lining fabric and forming seam; ridges in one fabric and arranging the other fabricl parallel to the seam ridges at one side, thereof, of sewing mechanism for uniting the fabricsi comprising needles.- workin'g'- in angularly 70;

between,; together with means for further opi,

erating said needles to complete the stitches within the space between said fabrics.

8. The combination with means for presenting finish and lining fabrics to a sewing mechanism whereby to provide parallel tubes in the united fabrics, of a sewing mechanism comprising a pair of needles working in paths which intersect one another, means for imparting thrusting and retracting movements to the needles to unite the fabrics by stitching exten-ding from the exterior of said tubes to the interior thereof and means for further actuating said needles to complete the stitches within said tubes.

9. The combination with means for gathering a finish fabric to form spaced seam ridges and arranging a lining fabric with portions thereof parallel to the seam ridges to form tubes therebetween, of sewing mechanism comprising a pair of needles, means for thrusting and retracting said needles through the parallel and seam ridge portions of said fabrics on paths which intersect one another within said tubes and means for actuating said needles to complete the stitches within said tubes.

10. A sewing mechanism comprising a pair of needles, means for simultaneously imparting thrusting and retracting movements respectively to said needles, said needles moving in vertical planes which intersect one another, and means for rocking each needle at a predetermined point in its travel to lower its point to spread the loop formed thereby to permit the engagement thereof by the other needle.

11.A sewing mechanism comprising a pair of needles, means for imparting thrusting and retracting movements to each needle, said needles moving in opposite directions and working in planes which intersect each other at an acute angle, and means for rocking each needle at a predetermined point in its travel to lower its point to cause a spreading of the loop formed thereby to permit the engagement of the loop by the other needle.

12. A sewing mechanism comprising a needle arm, a needle carried thereby, a slidable sector, a pivot for the needle arm on said sector and means for oscillating said needle arm and sector.

13. A sewing mechanism comprising a needle arm, a slidable sector, a pivot for the needle arm on said sector and means for oscillating said needle arm and for oscillating said sector to vary the pivot of said needle arm.

14. A sewing mechanism comprising a needle arm, a slidable sector, means for pivotally mounting said needle arm on said sector and means for oscillating said needle arm and sector in timed relation.

l5. A sewing mechanism comprising a needle arm, a slidable member, a pivot for the needle arm on said slidable member, an eccentric disc for oscillating said slidable member and a crank pin and link connection between said disc and said needle arm for oscillating said needle arm about its pivot.

16. Sewing mechanism including a needle and needle arm, a pivot for said needle arm with means for oscillating said arm about said pivot to thrust the needle through the seam at a point coincident with the center line thereof and means for moving said pivot on an arc having said point as its center.

17. A method of forming upholstery which comprises feeding two sheets of fabric into superimposed relationship, bringing said sheets into engagement along spaced portions to form simultaneously a series of parallel tubes therebetween, and thereafter forming lines of stitching passing through the engaged portions of the sheets into the interior of the tubes and completed within the latter.

18. In an upholstery machine, means for feeding two sheets of material longitudinally in superposed relation, means for gathering one of said sheets transversely and forming a plurality of parallel, longitudinal, upstanding seam ridges fabric being of U-form, and sewing mechanisms f adapted to unite the seam-portions, each sewing mechanism comprising a reciprocating needle working through one thickness solely of one fabric at its seam-portion and through two thicknesses of the other fabric at its seam-portion, and means coacting with said needle in the space between the superposed fabrics to complete the stitches therein.

20. In a machine of the character set forth, means for feeding fabrics and forming seamportions and intervening pleat-fullnesses, the seam-portions of one fabric being of U-form, sewing mechanisms adapted to unite said seamportions, each sewing mechanism comprising a reciprocating needle working through more thicknesses of one fabric than of the other, said needle working through the U-form seam-portion, and means coacting with said needle within the space between the superposed fabrics to complete the stitches therein.

21. In a machine of the character set forth, means for feeding fabrics and forming seamportions and intervening pleat-fullnesses, the seam portions of one fabric being of U-form, sewing mechanisms for uniting the seam-portions, each sewing mechanism comprising a transversely reciprocating needle working through a U-form seam-portion in one fabric and a single thickness of the other fabric, and means coacting with said needle within the space between the superposed fabrics to complete the stitches therein.

22. In a machine of the character set; forth, means for feeding fabrics and forming seam-portions and intervening pleat-fullnesses, the seamportions of one fabric being of U-form, sewing mechanisms for uniting said seam-portions, each sewing mechanism comprising a needle working through said fabrics, said needle being mounted to reciprocate in a plane extending transversely of said U-form seam-portions, housing members disposed between the superposed fabrics and over which one of said fabrics is advanced, and means coacting with said needles within said housing members to complete the stitches therein.

23. In a machine of the character set forth, means for advancing a cover fabric, means for` advancing a lining fabric, means for feeding batts between said fabrics, and a plurality of sewing mechanisms for sewing spaced seams in said fabrics extending longitudinally thereof, each sewing mechanism comprising a needle working through both fabrics, means forming a working space between one of said fabrics and a batt, and

means cooperating With said needle within said 75 working space for completing the stitches therein.

24. In the manufacture of pleated upholstery, the steps which comprise, feeding fabrics and batts with the batts disposed between the fabrics. forming seam-portions in the fabrics, holding .each batt spaced from one side of a seam-portion to provide interior sewing spaces, and engaging loops of one thread with loops of a second thread formed in said sewing spaces.

25. In the manufacture of pleated upholstery, the steps which comprise, feeding fabrics and batting with the batting disposed between the fabrics, forming a plurality of longitudinally extending seam-portions, holding the batting spaced from one side of the seam-portion to provide interior sewing spaces, forming loops of one thread and engaging said loops with loops of a second thread formed in said sewing spaces.

26. In the manufacture of pleated upholstery, the steps which comprise, feeding fabrics and batts with the batts disposed between the fabrics, forming seam-portions in the fabrics, holding each batt spaced from one side of a seam-portion to provide interior sewing spaces, and simultaneously sewing the fabrics to each other between the batts by passing one thread through the fabrics, forming loops of said thread and engaging said loops with loops of a second thread formed in said sewing spaces.

2'7. In the manufacture of pleated upholstery, the steps which comprise, advancing a lining fabric and a main fabric with batts disposed therebetween, forming seam-ridges between the batts, then uniting said fabrics by stitches of a thread passed therethrough from the outer side of one of them and engaging loops formed in said thread by loops of a second thread formed between the fabrics.

FREDERICK N. ROSS. HORACE L. JOHNSON. 

